Since there aren't many kid-friendly movie options on the multiplex menu at any given time, any new animated feature is worth a look for a family outing. Unfortunately, if Disney's latest "Frozen" is a sumptuous meal, "The Nut Job" is a sweet/salty snack — fun, but ultimately not really satisfying.

"Nut Job" tells the story of an antisocial squirrel's scheme to rob a nut shop. His plan is complicated by competition with the other park animals and a gang of bumbling bank robbers who have their own plans for the store. | Jan. 16, 2014»Read Full Article

DUE OUT TUESDAY

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (Sony) Based-on-a-true-story drama about a freighter seized by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, and the ship's captain — played by Tom Hanks — who tries to hold them at bay. (PG-13; intense scenes, some violence) ★★★ | Jan. 16, 2014»Read Full Article

The wrenching film, based on the memoir of Solomon Northup - a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War South - “is about a father and husband wanting to get back to his family and a very remarkable American who never gave up," Ridley said in a interview Thursday after the nominations were announced. | Jan. 16, 2014»Read Full Blog Post(5)

MilwaukeeHome has teamed with Hotel Foster and Festival City to host a stage down at SXSW. The date is set for March 12th and they are looking for artists of all genres to fill the stage. If you are interested in performing, go here to fill out the form to get your name on the list. Or if you would like to sponsor, check out the fan page for all the details. We will keep you updated as more information is released, but for the moment this looks like a great opportunity for all Milwaukee artists to get some shine at one of the biggest music festivals in the country. | Jan. 16, 2014»Read Full Blog Post(2)

Granted, winter in Wisconsin won't provide a full picture of a restaurant like Twisted Willow in Port Washington, which has its own farm and a chef who likes to grow a full spectrum of vegetables.

But sometimes that's the way the review schedule crumbles. No sense in letting winter keep me away, and it certainly wasn't deterring the restaurant's many guests — all of whom seemed to be ahead of me on a Friday night when I showed up without a reservation. This place was packed. | Jan. 16, 2014»Read Full Article(4)

In storefront windows and ample mirrors, Vivian Maier took photographs of herself, her face fixed, her eyelids sinking at the edges, a Rolleiflex camera positioned at her waist and that unmistakable look of focus.

They are beautifully matter of fact, portraits of self-determination taken by a woman who spent her days working as a nanny for wealthy families and her own time secretly exploring the grittier streets of Chicago and New York looking for pictures. | Jan. 16, 2014»Read Full Article

While it is considered a dumping ground for Hollywood's weaker offerings, January has had its share of surprises. "Ride Along" is one such movie. It doesn't reinvent the wheel and is fairly lightweight, but it features a steady stream of solid laughs and goes down easy.

The seemingly ubiquitous Kevin Hart stars as Ben, a high school security guard who yearns to be a police officer. He has just been accepted to the Atlanta Police Academy, and he has plans to marry his girlfriend, Angela (Tika Sumpter). Life is good. | Jan. 16, 2014»Read Full Article

Milwaukee Beer Bistro, the successor to Rio West Cantina at 2730 N. Humboldt Ave. in Riverwest, opened quietly early this week, and today it's celebrating with free beer from 5 to 7 p.m.

The focus is on American craft beers and a menu of small and some large plates, often incorporating beer. (Meatballs, for example, are simmered in beer and served in Parmesan cream sauce, $6.) | Jan. 16, 2014»Read Full Blog Post